DHL powers up small biz

In Trinidad, this portal offers the industry’s most comprehensive resources and data bank and provides entrepreneurs with a one-stop shop for tools they require to grow their business, including international trade information on the world’s top 30 economies, advanced resources, specialised consulting on imports, exports and customs, online shipping tools, and an extensive business global network in over 180 countries.

“Tapping into today’s global market is possible despite the size of your business. We understand entrepreneurs. We started as one, too,” said Jaime Hooker, Vice- President of DHL Express Caribbean.

He said research conducted by the Global Export Network (RGX) indicates that Latin American SME consider internet tools important for capturing new business opportunities. “The online resource centre we are introducing today is designed to enable entrepreneurs with access to thousands of hundreds of new potential businesses around the world,” he said.

According to data from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), SME are responsible for generating 25 percent to 40 percent of employment in the region, as well as between 15 percent to 25 percent of the total production of goods and services. The role of small and medium-size enterprises as exporters is reduced, but nonetheless significant due to its large potential for growth, accounting for one percent to three percent of the total exports in the region.

One of the unique features of the new portal www.dhl-smeworld.com is the ability to connect all users with an extensive global market. In alliance with OneWorld Yellow Pages, DHL opens the door to an international network of businesses offering the navigation of more than 110,000 products and types of services offered by members from more than 180 countries. This platform also enables participating companies to promote and trade their products and services internationally and acquire new clients, the company said.